The phrase “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” comes from Matthew 6:3-4 in the Bible. In context, Jesus is teaching his followers about how to give to the needy and practice righteousness. Specifically, he says:
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4 ESV)
There are a few key points we can draw from these verses about the meaning behind Jesus’ words:
1. Keep your giving secret
The main thrust of Jesus’ teaching here is that when we give to help others, we should not make a big show of it or draw attention to ourselves. Our motivation for giving should be pure – out of compassion and obedience to God – not a desire for praise or recognition from others. The left hand represents our public life and reputation, while the right hand points to our private motives and secret works. Jesus wants our giving to come from the right, most secret place.
2. Avoid pride and hypocrisy
This teaching warns against the temptation towards pride and hypocrisy in giving. When we proudly announce our donations and acts of service, it can easily feed our ego and lead us to think highly of ourselves. The right heart gives out of care for others’ needs, not a desire to bolster our public image. Keeping our giving private guards against self-centered motives creeping in.
3. Focus on God’s reward
Jesus promises that the Father who sees what is done in secret will reward our private giving. We should not be looking to get applause and accolades from others for our generosity. Our eyes should be fixed on the only audience that ultimately matters – God Himself. He sees our hearts and motives clearly. When we give quietly and solely unto Him, He promises to reward us.
4. Avoid hypocrisy
There is also a warning against hypocrisy in these verses. Jesus scolds the hypocrites who sound a trumpet and make a show when they give so that others will honor them (Matthew 6:2). Our righteousness should surpass that superficial external display. True righteousness comes from within, not to be paraded before others.
5. Give generously and cheerfully
While Jesus’ focus here is on keeping our giving secret, other Scriptures make it clear that He still expects His followers to be generous and cheerful givers: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The key is that our giving flows from internal joy and love for God, not external pressure or desire for glory.
6. Let humility and purity motivate you
Doing things in secret for the Lord with a pure heart of faith pleases God. Our giving should be an act of humility, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love. Jesus assures us that the Father who sees in this secret place will abundantly bless and reward a humble and contrite spirit.
7. Don’t actually hide your giving from your other hand!
While Jesus clearly emphasizes keeping our charitable deeds private, He is using hyperbole here for effect. This statement is not meant to be taken in an utterly literal sense. Don’t actually try to hide your giving from your other hand! His point is to avoid turning our spiritual practices into self-glorifying public spectacles.
8. Be discreet and modest
The overriding principle is that we should avoid trumpeting our giving to others. Give discreetly without trying to draw attention and fanfare. Don’t feel the need to speak about it unless there is a specific reason to inform others. Modesty and restraint Give with no need for public acclaim.
9. Let selfless love be your guide
Rather than hard and fast rules about when to publicize giving, let selfless love guide your decisions. Sometimes sharing about a donation or act of service can inspire others or fulfill practical needs. But examine your motives. Make sure it is not primarily about inflating your ego or reputation.
10. Apply this to all spiritual practices
While Jesus specifically mentions charitable giving here, His principle has broader implications. All aspects of our faith – whether praying, fasting, serving, or anything else – should be done with sincere devotion to God, not for show. Avoid turning any spiritual practice into a means of self-promotion.
11. Remember you ultimately answer to God
As Matthew 6:4 reminds us, God sees what is done in secret. While people look at outward appearances, the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). This should motivate us to live and give with an eternal perspective, knowing we answer to an audience of One.
12. Consider public and private spheres
This teaching does not necessarily mean we can never speak of a charitable act again after doing it. But it does provide a helpful distinction between public proclamation and private motivation. There is a difference between posting about a donation on social media to get praise, versus privately informing key people for logistical reasons.
13. Avoid self-righteous comparisons
Jesus strongly cautions against self-righteousness – thinking we are better than others or have earned God’s favor by our giving. We should not judge how much others give nor give primarily to prove our spiritual superiority. Our giving should flow freely from grace.
14. Let go of entitlement
When we give privately and purely because of Christ’s love, we can let go of any sense of entitlement or deserved recognition. We are able to give freely without expecting anything in return, neither the praise of people nor repayment from God.
15. Practice wisdom and discernment
While some public giving is appropriate, we need wisdom and discernment to navigate these dynamics well. As we grow in intimacy with Christ, He will guide us in how to give “in secret” while still wisely stewarding our public influence for Kingdom purposes.
16. Remember why we give
Most importantly, this teaching reminds us to keep our focus on the eternal, gospel motivation for generosity – Jesus’ ultimate sacrificial gift for our salvation. Our right-hand giving flows freely out of thanks and devotion to Him.
In summary, Jesus’ words about not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing provide vital wisdom for keeping our giving pure, avoiding hypocrisy and pride, and centering our lives on intimacy with God rather than the praise of man. This principle helps instruct and free us to live generously in a way that honors Christ and advances His Kingdom.
When we give to help others, may it flow from the secret rewards of walking with Him – not to be paraded before men, but lifted before the throne of grace. The Father who sees in secret is pleased to bless those whose hearts, minds and hands are dedicated fully to Him in this private place of worship.
May we heed Christ’s words so that our practice of generosity and righteousness would point straight to the heart of the Gospel itself.
17. Different ways to apply “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”
While Jesus specifically applied this principle to charitable giving, there are other practical ways we can apply it to different areas of our lives:
- Prayer – Pray privately instead of loudly calling attention to your devotion.
- Fasting – Keep your fasting between you and God instead of boasting about it.
- Service – Serve behind the scenes without needing recognition.
- Simple living – Choose modesty and restraint instead of conspicuous consumption.
- Career – Work with excellence to please God rather than striving for fame and prestige.
- Possessions – Give freely and live modestly rather than flaunting affluence.
- Personal interests – Cultivate interests for their own sake rather than showing off knowledge or achievements.
- Social media – Share judiciously instead of presenting a carefully curated image.
The possibilities are endless for how we can apply this teaching to different domains of life. Whatever we do, we are called to live for an audience of One, from the pure secret rewards of walking with God.
18. Balance openness with appropriate privacy
How do we balance Jesus’ emphasis here on keeping our giving private with other biblical principles about openness, transparency and living openly before others?
A few tips that can help find balance:
- Consider context – Is this an appropriate setting to share about my giving versus keeping it completely private?
- Examine motives – Am I sharing to glorify God or glorify myself?
- Steward influence – Are there times it could help my testimony or influence to judiciously share?
- Respect privacy – Honor what others may wish to keep confidential about their giving.
- Avoid legalism – The principle is a heart issue more than rigid rules.
- Err on privacy – When in doubt, it’s best to avoid casual oversharing about spiritual practices.
Finding balance requires ongoing wisdom, but Jesus’ emphasis on private devotion reminds us that less is often more when it comes to sharing details about our walk with God.
19. How corporate giving changes the dynamics
Jesus’ teaching here clearly has individuals and personal giving in view. How would this principle apply when it comes to giving or serving as a church, ministry, nonprofit or other organization?
A few reflections:
- Be wise – Organizations still need discretion and restraint to avoid showiness.
- Be accountable – But organizations also need appropriate transparency and reporting.
- Keep pure motives – Avoid pride even (especially) in large-scale giving.
- Remember the ‘who’ – It’s easy to focus on dollar amounts, stats, scale. But stay grounded in the actual people being served.
- Steward influence – While avoiding self-promotion, organizations can strategically communicate stories of impact.
- Point to Jesus – Celebrate what God is doing through collective giving to expand His Kingdom, not just the works of men.
The heart of Jesus’ teaching remains relevant. Giving should flow from intimacy with God and sensitivity to human need – whether as individuals or institutions.
20. How parents can model and teach this to kids
For parents and children’s ministers seeking to pass on Jesus’ heart for selfless generosity to the next generation, here are a few suggestions:
- Model it – Let kids see you regularly giving and serving quietly behind the scenes.
- Discuss motives – Have age-appropriate conversations about self-focus versus other-focus.
- Avoid showiness – Be cautious about over-posting their giving on social media.
- Focus on needs – When they do give or serve, draw attention to how it helps others over their own pride.
- Study Jesus – Read Scripture stories together about Jesus’ humble service and sacrificial giving.
- Emphasize character – Affirm growth in selflessness, compassion and integrity over external achievements.
- Let them design projects – Guide them in choosing creative ways to give and serve.
If parents and teachers model the joy of selfless generosity for children, emphasizing heart motivations rather than outward pressure, it can instill these principles for a lifetime.